‘ We want to get back to where we should be’
LYNDON DYKES is determined to fire Scotland to the European Championships after netting the goal that kept them top of their Nations League group.
The striker bagged his second strike for Steve Clarke’s side as Scotland saw off Slovakia last night to make it seven points from three Group Two fixtures.
The League B victory came on the back of the dramatic penalty shoot- out win over Israel and there is a bit of momentum behind Clarke’s side now ahead of the meeting with the Czech Republic.
That will be the final warmup for the winner- take- all tie with Serbia next month and Dykes is sure Scotland are on the right track.
“It’s a great squad to be a part of,” he said. “Each time I’ve joined the squad you can see the confidence growing. The spirit and the belief gets better each time and I really believe we’re building something special here.
“The boys are brilliant, they just want to get better and better. You don’t get a lot of time with international football, everyone knows that.
“So the manager doesn’t have a long time to get his points across. But I think you’ve seen it’s getting better and better, we’re certainly improving on the pitch and we’re certainly more gelled together.
“I think we all have a better understanding of what the manager wants and we’re all pulling in the right direction.
“But we have Wednesday night to focus on before we can really look towards Serbia.
“It’s part and parcel of football. These are the games players want to play in and this is your time to shine.
“We want to do it for the nation. We want to get Scotland back to where they should be in major tournaments.
“I want to do my best as part of that and hopefully help the nation get back there to make my parents proud and everyone proud in the country.
“We are all focused on that challenge but also on the Nations League as well. If we can win on Wednesday it would put us in a great position in the group and also give us a lot of confidence going into the Serbia game.”
The addition of Dykes to the
national setup has given Clarke a much- needed option through the middle as the 25- yearold has made the most of his chance to impress.
Now Dykes is eager to maintain his own fine form and Scotland’s momentum ahead of a potentially defining few weeks for the national side.
Dykes said: “We are on a fantastic run at the moment, that’s now seven games unbeaten.
“There is real competition for places and you can see the belief growing with each passing game.
“We just want to keep this run going because we know just how big the game against Serbia is next month.
“On a personal level things couldn’t have gone any better if I am honest. That’s four games, two goals and I still haven’t lost yet. I am happy to get the goals, happy to get the wins and just happy to contribute to what the boys are building here.
“I’ve really, really enjoyed it and I just hope it continues. Obviously there is a lot of football to be played between now and next month.
“But you want to be involved against Serbia, that’s the big one and I would love to be a part of it.
“Listen, all the boys in the squad, and those who’ve to come back, all want to start that game. It’s a chance to make history for Scotland and it’s huge.
“I just need to see what the manager wants and try to keep on learning and improving all the time.